What clear gloss coat should I use on Modelflex acrylic for decals?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am getting ready to decal an airbrushed model which I painted with Modelflex acrylic. Since I have now also installed the window glazing, I want to just locally brush the areas where decals will be applied. I am not certain that a lacquer-based gloss would be compatible with the acrylic paint. Any advice? Cedarwoodron

2

Ron,

If the acrylic paint is really dry, you should be able to spray lacquer based clear coat over it - at least in theory! Myself, I would use Badger Gloss Clear Finish(16603) - just to be safe. Too bad you already mounted the window gazing, as spraying the model with an air brush would be a lot easier.

Jim

3

I would use blue painters’ tape and mask the window glazing. This will let you spray the gloss coat evenly over the rest of the model. Brush-painting will not give you a nice even surface. It’s more work to do the masking, but your results will be worth it.

4

Well, the good news is that all the decals go “below the midline of the model body” so I COULD mask over windows without a major issue. I have used Krylon clear gloss on Modelflex before with no issue- it is also an acrylic base as well. I had read about using brush on lacquer, of which I have a Model Master’s bottle of clear gloss, but thought it better to ask first before continuing. Cedarwoodron

5

I suggest that you do mask; or, remove the windows, as you want to be able to spray the entire model with the clear gloss. I would be concerned that if I did it in patches, these patches would show through on the model later, after I’d shot the flat clear (dull).

6

You could also brush on some Future Floor Finish. It’s acrylic, has excellent self-levelling and decals take to it very well.

For those who think I’m crazy …

http://www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html

Mark.

7

Removing and re installing windows aren’t an option? I second Future…it is used frequently on clear airplane canopies (tinted or clear). I dipped half a strip of clear plexiglass in Future, when it dried, it looked a bit clearer than the undipped end. It also keeps glue from fogging clear plastic.

I have only begun to use it, but from what I’ve read and the couple experiments I’ve tried, it looks promising.

Look for “Pledge Floor Wax with Future” I don’t think it’s called just “Future” anymore (I spent weeks looking for “Future” and didn’t find it).